Murder charge dismissed against grandmother

Judge says she does not need to be hospitalized

A Vermont judge has dismissed a murder charge against a Morrisville grandmother found mentally incompetent to stand trial on charges of giving a fatal drug overdose to her infant grandson.

The judge has ruled that 56-year-old Pamela Raymond does not need to be hospitalized and can be treated in the community.

Raymond, a former nurse, pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the 2010 death of her 3-month-old grandson. Prosecutors say the child was given a lethal dose of an antidepressant to keep him quiet so he would not bother Raymond's husband in September 2010.

Deputy Lamoille County State's Attorney Christopher Moll told the Burlington Free Press that the state may file the charge again if it deems Raymond competent to stand trial.